Building block



May 18, 1943 E. T. PUTNAM BUILDING BLOCK Filed May 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 z I W a x finnentor [as 7. PUT/VAN.

Gttomeg E. T. PUTNAM BUILDING BLOCK May 18, 1943 Filed May 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N45 a a Inventor [at 7T PUTNAM.

Gttorncg May 18, 1943 E. 'r. PUTNAM BUILDING BLOCK" Filed May 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'JAV/ Zmneritor [FLE T PUT/VAM- Gttorneg Patented May 18, 1943 ;n

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE 2,319,345 BUILDING BLOCK Erle -T. Putnam, Detroit, Miclr, assignor to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,276

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved type of building unit adapted for use in the construction of interior and exterior walls.

The building unit herein provided comprises a composite block including a body portion formed from a cementitious material, such as concrete, Haydite, or the like, and an ornamental facing therefor. The ornamental facing is preferably secured to the body portion by an interposed layer of adhesive material, such as an asphaltic mastic cement, and also by mechanical fastening means in the form of metal holders engaging both the ornamental facing and the body portion. In constructing a wall with building blocks of this invention, the blocks are adapted to be laid up in courses in substantially the same manner as cut stone, granite, or terracotta, being preferably anchored to a rear or foundation wall.

Generally, it is the aim of the invention to provide a composite building block of the above character embodying novel features of construction and arrangement which will not only greatly enhance the ornamental appearance of the block but which will also improve its structural characteristics.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a building block of the above character having an ornamental facing including one or more sheets or plates of opaque structural glass of the same or different colors and with which may be associated metal moldings or facing strips which not only give to the block a more attractive, finished appearance but also adapt it to varied uses.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a building block of th above character including an ornamental facing composed of two or more sheets or plates of opaque structural glass arranged in spaced edge to edge relation and held in proper position with respect to one another by metal molding strips having cushioned engagement with the edges of the glass sheets or plates to prevent marring or injury thereto as well as permitting relative expansion and contraction thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a building block of the above character adapted for use as a corner block and embodying ornamental facings disposed at an angle to one another and having associated therewith in a novel manner a metal corner molding of irn proved construction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a building block of the above character having associated therewith a metal coping 55' member of improved construction and to which a suitable flashing material may be readily and securely attached.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a building block of the above character to which a metal sash or store front construction may be readily and conveniently secured without placing any load or strain upon the ornamental facing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent'during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building block' constructed in accordance with the invention and adapted for use as a corner block;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the block taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal perspective sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1;'

Fig. 4 is a front; view of a modified type of building block; 7

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing the provision of a metal molding or spacer strip between two sheets or plates'of glass;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view showing a modified type of metal edge holder; 7

Fig. 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of a building block having a metal sash or store front construction associated therewith; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective sectional view of a building block having associated therewith a metal coping member.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly 'to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a building block construction adapted for use as a corner block and comprising abody portion l 5 preferably formed from a cementitious material, such as concrete, Haydite, or the like. The body portion I5 is shown as being, substantially L-shaped having a relatively wide front portion l6 and a relatively narrow end portion I 1 disposed at substantially right angles to said front portion. It will of course be appreciated that the body portion l5 need not necessarily be L-shaped and, further, that the end-portion l1 thereof can be disposed at any desired angle relative to the front portion l6. r

The front and end portions It and i? of body portion l5 are provided with the ornamental facings I8 and I9 respectively, while arranged at the corner of said front and end portions, between the adjacent ornamental facings I8 and I9, is a metal corner bead or molding 20.

Each ornamental facing I 8 and I9 may consist of a single sheet or plat of opaque structural glass or other desired material, but, as here shown, is made up of three spaced sheets or plates of glass 2|, 22, and 23 with which are alternately arranged the two metal molding or facing strips 24 and 25. The glass face plates 2|, 22,

and 23 are preferably secured to the body portion I5 by a relatively thick, substantially uniform layer of adhesive material 25, such as asphaltic mastic cement, which serves not only to bind the glass to the body portion but also permits relative expansion and contraction between the two without danger of the glass sheets or plates becoming broken or accidentally displaced. The layer of mastic 26 also serves to cushion the glass sheets or plates against shock and blows thereby increasing its resistance to breakage.

The metal molding strips 24 and 25 are arranged alternately with the glass sheets or plate and greatly enhance the attractiveness and ornamental appearance of the block. These metal strips may be of rolled, cast or extruded metal and formed of aluminum, bronze, iron, etc. Each metal strip comprises a face piece 21 having the desired cross sectional contour and overlapping the adjacent marginal edge portions of the glass plates; said face piece being provided along its opposite edges with inturned flanges 23 and 29 which engage the front faces of the glass plates. Formed integral with the face piece 21 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a longitudinally extending leg 3!] embedded within a mortar in-v sert 3| arranged in a recess 32 in the body portion I6 of the block. Arranged at opposite sides of the anchoring leg 30 are strips of cushioning material 32 which engage the adjacent edges of the glass sheets or plates. Other suitable cushioning means may of course be provided.

The metal corner bead or molding 20 comprises a substantially triangula shaped body member 33 disposed between the adjacentedges of the ornamental facings I8 and I9 which are carried by the front and end portions I 6 and I1 respectively of the body portion I5 as best shown in Fig. 3; The outer face of the body member 33 of the corner molding is curved transversely to provide a rounded corner, whil extending laterally from the apex of the triangular body member 33 are the wing portions 34 and 35 disposed behind the ornamental facings I8 and I9 respectively and engaging the inner surfaces of the glass facing sheets or plates. The Wing portions 34 and 35 are interposed between the ornamental facings and body portion of the block and the front surfaces thereof are disposed at an angle to one another corresponding to the angle at which the ornamental facings are arranged. Formed integral with the wing portions and extending rearwardly therefrom is an anchoring leg 36 which is. embedded in the cementitious body portion I 5 of the block.

The triangular shaped body member 33 of the corner molding 20 is provided with longitudinally extending lips 31 and 38 which cooperate with the front surfaces of the wing portions 34 and 35 respectively to provide relatively shallow channels within which are disposed strips 39 and 40 respectively of a suitable cushioningmaterial, such as asphalt impregnated cork, although they may be of rubber, rubber composition, etc. The strips of cushioning material 39 and 40 engage the adjacent edges of the glass sheets or plates 2|, 22, and 23 of the ornamental facings I8 and I9. It will be noted that the thickness of the cushioning strips 39 and 40 is such that they project beyond the lips 31 and 38 of the metal molding so that the said lips do not contact the edges of the glass sheets or plates.

Arranged along the top and bottom of each ornamental facing I8 and I9 and also along the outer vertical edge thereof are the metal edge holders 4| for mechanically securing the ornamental facing to the body portion. Each metal edge holder 4! 'comprises a longitudinally extending channel shaped portion 42 which is received between the ornamental facing and body portion of the block (Fig. 2). The outer wall 43 of the channel portion 42 constitutes a shoulder which abuts the rear surfaces of the glass facing sheets or plates and extending forwardly therefrom and at substantially right angles thereto is a flange 44 disposed opposite the edges of said glass facing sheets or plates and terminating in an inwardly directed lip 45.

The peripheral edges of the glass sheets or plates constituting the ornamental facing are preferably square and engaging said edges are strips 46 of suitable cushioning material which may also consist of asphalt impregnated cork. These cushioning strips serve to protect the edges of the glass and act to prevent chipping or spalling of the glass during the setting of the block in place in a wall. As shown in Fig. 2, the cushioning strips 46 terminate inwardly of the'outer surfaces of the glass sheet or plates and also that the shoulders 43, flanges 44, and lips 45 of the metal holders define substantially U-shaped channels in which the eushioningstrips are received.

The inner wall 47 of channel portion 42 of each metal edge holder 4| constitutes a shoulder which engages the outer surface of the body portion I5; said shoulder projecting slightly beyond the body portion and extending at substantially right angles with respect thereto is a relatively wide, flat load bearing portion 48 disposed opposite the body portion of the block. Formed integral with and constituting a continuation of the load bearing portion 48 is an inwardly directed flange 49 which is embedded in the body portion [5.

Due to the fact that the load bearing portions 48 of the metal holders 4| project beyond the adjacent edges of the ornamental facing, there will be formed around the edges of the body portion a continuous load bearing ledge 50 which also projects slightly beyond the edges of said facing. Consequently, when the blocks are laid up in courses in a wall, with the load bearing portions 48 of vertically adjacent blocks in engagement with one another, the adjacent ornamental facings will be spaced from each other and in this space is adapted to be inserted a suitable pointing or calking material.

When the blocks are mounted in place in the In otherwords, the load of one block is transferred'di-' placed upon the ornamental facings.

rectly to the body portion of the next lower block; and each block takes the full strain of the blocks above it.

Instead of the ornamentalfacings I8 and 19':

beingformed ofalternately arranged glass platesand metal strips; such facings may be made up of strips of glass of different colors asshownqin Fig.4 wherein the glass plates are designatedl, 52, and 53. Such an arrangement'may be incorporated in a corner block of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, or in a face block as shown. in Fig. 4 wherein metal holders 54, similar to metal holders 4| above described, are arranged around the four edges of the block. The plates of glass 5|, 52, and 53 may be spaced from one another by strips of cork or other cushioning'material 55 (Fig: 5) covered by pointing or calking material 56. 1'.

If desired, instead of using the cushioning strips 55, metal molding or spacerstrips may be employed as illustrated in Fig. 6. The metal spacer strip herein shown comprises a substan-. tially-rectangular body member 51 from which extend the lateral wing portions 58 and 59 disposed behind the glass face plates 5| and 52 respectively and engaging the rear surfaces thereof. The body member 51 is provided along the outer edge thereof with the relatively narrow lips 68 and BI which cooperate with the wing portions 58 and 59 to provide relatively shallow channels within which are received the strips of cushioning material 62 and 63; said strips engaging the adjacent edges of the glass face plates. Formed integral with the wing portions 58 and 59 is a rearwardly extending leg 64 embedded in the body portion I5 of the block. The metal spacer strip terminates inwardly of the outer surfaces of the glass face plates and is adapted to be covered by a suitable pointing or calking compound 65. The forward face of the metal strip may be formed with. a longitudinally extending groove 66 to assist in anchoring the pointing material in place.

If desired, the metal edge holders may be of the construction illustrated in Fig. '7, wherein.

the'channel portion 42 shown in Fig. 2 is omitted. The metal holder in Fig. '7 is designated in its entirety by the numeral 81 and comprises a flange 68 opposite the edge of the ornamental facing and a load bearing portion 89 opposite the cementitious body portion I5 01'' the block. The load bearing portion 89 is raised or offset relative to the flange 68 as indicated at I8 so that the said load bearing portion projects beyond the said flange 68. Thus, when the blocks are laid one upon the other, with the load bearing portions 89 of adjacent blocks in contact. with one another, the ornamental facings will be spaced slightly from one another and will not support any of the load of the wall. The flange 88 is formed along its outer edge with an inturned lip H for retaining the cushioning strip 12, while the load bearing portion 69 has formed integral therewith a flange I3 embedded in the body portion of the block.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated a block I4 provided by the present invention and having associated therewith a metal sash or store front construction designated in its entirety by the numeral for supporting a pane of glass 16. The block I4 comprises generally a cementitious body portion 17 having an ornamental facing I8 secured thereto by a layer of mastic I9 and also by means of the metal edge holders 88.

Although the metal sash or store front construction I5 may be of any conventional or preferred type, it has been shown as comprising a stationary rear section 8| and a movable front section 82 associated with one another for clamping. the pane of glass :IG-therebetween. More-spa cifically, the rear section 8| includes a base member 83 having an upstanding longitudinally extending flange 84 at its forward end with which the lower end 85 of the front section 82 is rockably associated. The sections 8| and 82 are secured together by the cooperating clip members 86 and screws 81 carried by the front and rear sections respectively. The particular type of metal sash construction disclosed forms no part of the present invention per se, but is more fully illustrated, described, and claimed in' the copending application of C. D. Lowry, filed August 18, 1938, Serial No. 225,591.

The metal sash construction I5 rests upon a metal plate 88 having its forward end 89 turned downwardly and overlapping the upper marginal portion of the ornamental facing of block I4. The metal plate 88 is supported directly upon' theload bearing portion 98 of the metal edge holder 88 and is secured thereto by screws 9| which pass downwardly through the base plate 83 of the rear section 8|; through the metal plate 88 and also through the load bearing portion 98 into the body portion of the block. In practice, openings for the fastening screws 9| are first punched in the load bearing portion 98 of the metal holder and the screws then threaded downwardly therethrough; said screws being self-tapping screws and forming the threads in the metal holders to thereby firmly secure the metal sash construction to the block. It will be notedthat since the load bearing portion 98 of the metal holder extends beyond the edge of the ornamental facing and also beyond the flange overlying the edge of said facing, the metal sash construction I5 can be supported directly upon. said load bearing portion without placing any load or strain upon the ornamental facing.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated a building block 92 of the character herein provided having associated therewith a metal coping member designated in its entirety by the numeral 93. The block comprisesa cementitious body portion 94 having an ornamental facing 95 secured thereto by a layer of'mastic 98. The metal coping member 93 comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped strip comprising a horizontal base portion 91 disposed opposite the edge of the ornamental facing 95 and the depending legs 98 and 99 disposed at the front and rear respectively of said ornamental facing. The base portion 91 is preferably provided with a channel I88 within which isarranged the strip of cushioning material I 8| engaging the upper edge of the ornamental facing. The front depending leg 98 is preferably spaced slightly from the ornamental facing so that water will drip from the lower edge thereof and will not run down said facing.

Formed integral with the base portion 91 is a rearwardly and upwardly extending flange I82, while formed integral with the leg 99 is a rearwardly extending web portion I83 terminating in an upwardly inclined flange I 84 substantially parallel with flange I82 and forming therebetween a channel I05. Formed at the junction of the web portion I 83 and flange I84 is a leg I86 embedded in the cementitious body portion 94 of the block. The numeral I81 represents a sheet of suitable flashing material, preferably of metal, and having its outer end portion folded upon itself as at I88 and inserted within the channel I85. The free end I89 of said flashing is bent over the top of the flange I82 to provide a neat, water-tight construction. If desired, a

layenof mortar-tilt may; be disposedbetwe'en the flashing I01 and bodypo'rtion 94 of the block.

It is to be understood that the former the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that" various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inventlonor the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: 1. In a building block of the character described, a body portion formed of cementitious material, ornamental facings carried by two sides of said body portion and disposed at an angle to one another, the adjacent edges of said facings being spaced from one another, a metal corner molding having a body member arranged entirely between the adjacent edges of said facings at the corner of said body portion and also having a portion embedded in the said body portion, and cushioning means arranged between said body member and the adjacent edges of said facin'gs. 5-2; In a building block-ofthe character de scribed, a-body portion formed of cementitious material, ornamental facings' carried by two sides of said body portion and "disposed at an angle to one another, the adjacent edges of said facings being spaced from one-another, a metal corner molding having a body member arranged entirely between the adjacent edges of said facings' at the'corner of said body portion and also having a portion embedded in the said body portion, said. body mem-ber'being provided with longitudinally extending channels inwardlyof the outer surface of the facings, and strip of cushioning ma terial arranged within said channels and en gaging-the edges of said-facihgs,

In a-- building block ofr-thecharacter olescribed, a body portion formed of cementitious material, ornamental facin-gs-ca-rried-by two sides of said body portion and disposed at an angle to-one another, the adjacent edges of said facings being spaced from one another; and a metal corner molding having a body member arranged entirely between the adjacent edges of saidfacings; wing portions extending laterally from said body member in back of said facings and having their front surfaces parallel with and en gaging the back surfaces-of the said facings and an anchoring portion embedded 'in the cementitious body portion of the block.

4. In a building block of the character de-' scribed, a body portion formed of cementitious material, ornamental facings carried by two sides of said body portion and disposed at an angle 1 to one another; the adjacent edges "of said facings being spaced from one another, a metal corner molding having a body member arranged entirely between the adjacentedges of said facings: 'wing portions extending laterally from said body member in back of said facing's and having their front surfaces parallel with and engaging the back surfaces of the said facings and an anchoring portion embedded in the cem'entitious body portion of the block, and cushioning means carried by the body member of said metal corner molding and engaging the edges of said facings,

5. In a building block of the character described, a body portion formed of cementitious material, ornamental facing' carried by two sides of said body portion and disposed at an angle to one another, the adjacent edges of said facings being spaced from one another, a'metal corner molding having a substantially triangular shaped body member disposed entirely between the adjacent edges of the iacings; Wing portions extending laterally from said body member in back of'said facings and having their front surfaces arranged parallel with and engaging the back surfaces of the said facings and an anchoring portion carrid by said Wing members and em bedded in the cementitious body portion, said body member being provided with longitudinally extending lips cooperating with said wing portions to provide longitudinally extending channels, and strips of cushioning material arranged within said channels engaging the edges of said facings and serving to maintain the said lips out of con tact with-the said facings; 1 6.'In a building block of the" character de-' scribed, a body portion formed of cementitious material; ornamental facings carried by two sides of 'said body portion and disposed at an angle to one another, the adjacent edges of said facings being spacedfrom' one another, a metal c'or'n'er molding having a body member arranged entirely between the adjacent edges of said facings; wing portions extending laterally" from said body member in back of said facing's and having their front surfaces parallel with and engaging the back surfaces of the said facings and an anchorin'gfporti'on'embedded' in" the ceriientitious body portion of the block, said body member and wing portions cooperating to provide longitudinally extending channels, and strips of cushioning material arranged said channels and engaging the edges of said facing for maintaining thesaid body member out of contact with the said fa'cings.

- ERLE T. PUTNAM. 

